Former Gov. Terry Branstad honored for his ‘unmatched’ imprint on Iowa

DES MOINES — Not only was former Gov. Terry Branstad presented the Iowa Award, the state’s top civilian honor, on Thursday, but he also learned a 36-mile stretch of highway in northern Iowa has been dedicated in his honor.

Branstad was presented the Iowa Award during a public ceremony in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda.

Gov. Kim Reynolds, who was Branstad’s lieutenant governor from 2011 to 2017 and succeeded him when Branstad became U.S. ambassador to China, presented the award.

Reynolds also unveiled the news that the stretch of Highway 9 in Winnebago and Worth counties, including near the towns of Leland and Forest City, where Branstad grew up and attended school, has been dedicated in his honor.

“Many distinguished people have received this award, many that have accomplished much more than I have,” Branstad said during the ceremony. “So I’m very honored and very proud to be listed with that very distinguished, important group of Iowans that have done so much for this state.”

Previous Iowa Award honorees include President Herbert Hoover, the first-ever in 1951; first lady Mamie Eisenhower in 1970; Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug in 1978; Gallup Poll founder George Gallup in 1984; composer Meredith Willson in 1988; and scientist George Washington Carver in 2002.

Branstad, 79, became the longest-serving governor in U.S. history during his time as Iowa governor, serving 22 years in the governor’s mansion on Terrace Hill.

His lengthy career in public service also includes time in the military, as a state legislator, lieutenant governor and U.S. ambassador.

“Terry’s story is one of unwavering dedication, service and leadership,” Reynolds said during the ceremony. “His imprint on our state is simply unmatched.”

Reynolds praised Branstad for his leadership and courage, which she said prepared her for her time as governor. Reynolds has been governor since 2017, and announced she will not seek re-election next year.

During his time as governor, Branstad led the state through the 1980s farm crisis, signed legislation that created the Iowa Lottery, closed the Iowa Juvenile Home in Toledo and state-operated mental health institutes in Clarinda and Mount Pleasant, contracted with private companies to manage the state’s Medicaid program, approved myriad tax reductions — and a few sales and gas tax hikes, signed a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, signed a bill that stripped public workers of most of their collective bargaining rights, and signed legislation that banned same-sex marriage in Iowa — which was overturned by the Iowa Supreme Court’s momentous 2009 ruling.

“My family has been really blessed to serve the wonderful people of Iowa,” Branstad said. “(His wife) Chris and I were talking the other day about this: we’ve actually spent more time at Terrace Hill than any other place. So we’re very proud to have served the people of Iowa and shared that home with the people of Iowa and visitors from all over the world.”

Branstad thanked his wife Christine, noting that she is the longest-serving gubernatorial first lady in U.S. history. He also noted — as he often does — that he never lost an election, and said that he is proud of the work he did as governor, including the years when the Iowa Legislature was under Democratic or split control.

In addition to Reynolds’ remarks, a video was played featuring brief comments from Branstad’s family, opera singer Simon Estes, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, and all six members of Iowa’s congressional delegation. Iowa U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn recently made floor comments honoring Branstad.

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History of the Iowa Award

Granted roughly every five years, the Iowa Award was created by the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation, which was established in 1948 by Gov. Robert Blue and the Iowa Legislature.

The foundation’s goal was to “encourage and recognize the outstanding service of Iowans in the fields of science, medicine, law, religion, social welfare, education, agriculture, industry, government, and other public service” and to recognize the “merit of their accomplishments in Iowa and throughout the United States,” the governor’s office said.

Other recent Iowa Award honorees were physicist, entrepreneur and inventor Robert Noyce in 2018; entrepreneur, business leader and philanthropist John Pappajohn in 2016; diplomat, humanitarian and veteran Kenneth Quinn in 2014; transportation pioneer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Dick Jacobson in 2012; and philanthropist and business and community leader Bill Knapp in 2011.

Comments: (515) 355-1300, erin.murphy@thegazette.com

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